MUSCLING IN

Here’s a short vignette from an embryo collection of circus poems, one of which, Contortionist, appeared in a post last month. 
It’s also an opportunity to share a couple of wonderful vintage images of circus characters from long ago.

STRONGMAN

He chalks his leather palms, pumps biceps up,
admires scenes tattooed on his flexing arms,
scratches his beard, stubs out a small cheroot.
He reeks of liniment, greasepaint and sweat,
maleness, tobacco, a hint of rum,
and calls this dingy caravan his home,
parked beside tightrope act and clowns.
Between shows, Evening and Matinee,
he pays court to Mermaid Woman, Joan,
shyly, with a dish of cherries,
though Joan would rather have had fish.